‘Navarino Challenge’ 2015 Coming Up!

The “Navarino Challenge” is ready to welcome people of all ages from Greece and abroad on September 11-13 with an enriched schedule of sports and entertainment.

According to the organizers, the interest for this year’s event has surpassed all expectations. The participants expected to arrive in Messinia and Costa Navarino are from all parts of Greece — from Thessaloniki to Crete — and abroad, with entries from countries such as Switzerland, Hungary and Cyprus.

Sports fans of all ages will enjoy a weekend full of activities such as running, swimming, biking, tae kwon do, climbing, pilates and martial arts.

Gold Paralympic athlete in boccia, Grigoris Polychronidis. Photo credit: Navarino Challenge

Through its activities and for the third consecutive year, the “Navarino Challenge” will promote awareness regarding childhood obesity and the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and exercise. This message will be spread by Gold Paralympic athlete in boccia, Grigoris Polychronidis, who will participate for the first time in the event with the support of Allianz, the official sponsor of “Navarino Challenge”, and the Hellenic Paralympic Committee.

The 2015 event will welcome the Greek-American ultramarathon runner Dean Karnazes and ambassador of the event for the third year in a row.

Many sports personalities will also honor the event with their participation and help participants get better acquainted with this year’s activities.

On Saturday, September 12, the picturesque port of Pylos will host a magnificent open water swimming route. In the one mile route (1.6 km), participants will swim alongside Greece’s world champions Spyros Gianniotis and Kelly Araouzou, while in the half mile route (0.8 km), children will take action. The swimming day of “Navarino Challenge” will be supported by the social non-profitable initiative Safe Water Sports, which will inform and raise awareness on issues related to security and prevention of accidents during sports and recreational activities.

Photo credit: Vladimir Rys

Running in the trail of Telemachus

Voidokilia Beach, Costa Navarino. Photo source: TEMES

On Sunday, September 13, runners will start from Navarino Dunes in Costa Navarino, following the coastal road towards Pylos — and the trail mapped out by Telemachus in Homer’s years when he tried to find Odysseus — and discover the mythical beauty of Voidokilia. Running routes will start at the following times: 08:45am for the half-marathon route (21.1 km), 09:00am for the 10 km route, 9:15am for the 5 km route (which includes running and dynamic walking) and 10:30am for the children’s 1 km route.

The event is held under the Auspices of the Department of Nutrition and-Dietetics of Harokopio University of Athens and the Greek National Tourism Organization with the support of Costa Navarino and The Westin Resort Costa Navarino as well as the Municipalities of Pylos-Nestor, Trifilia, for a 3rd consecutive year.

The official sponsor of the “Navarino Challenge” is Allianz Hellas. Qatar Airways is the event’s official airline partner and official supporters include Hellenic Fuels S.A., Ford Motor Hellas, Natural Mineral Water “Vikos”, GoPro, and Navarino Icons.

GTP is a Strategic Communication Partner of the “Navarino Challenge” event.

The “Navarino Challenge” event is included this year in the European Week of Sport (September 7-13, 2015).